Portable, foldable work table

ABSTRACT

A portable, foldable work table for a laptop or tablet comprising a base, a holder for holding a laptop or tablet, said holder movable between an extended position and an unextended position, at least one articulating arm having first and second ends, said articulating arm operably coupling said base and said holder, at least first and second fasteners, said first fastener coupling the first end of said articulating arm to said base and said second fastener coupling the second end of said articulating arm to said holder, said first and second fasteners structured to fasten and unfasten said at least one articulating arm; wherein when said first and second fasteners are unfastened said holder is structured to move between the extended position and unextended position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable, foldable work table. More particularly, the work table can be folded and stored substantially flat in a briefcase, luggage or other carrying equipment and is particularly well-suited for a tablet or laptop computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Due to the popularity of computers almost every family owns a computer. Computers have been quickly replaced by laptops because of their portability. Recently, tablets are replacing laptops as the preferred means of computing as their features compete with features that only computers used to have.

A tablet computer, or simply a “tablet,” is a mobile computer with display, circuitry and battery in a single unit. Tablets are equipped with numerous features such as cameras, microphones, accelerometer and touchscreens, with finger or stylus gestures replacing computer mouse and keyboard. Tablets may include physical buttons, e.g., to control basic features such as speaker volume and power and ports for network communications and to charge the battery. An on-screen, popup virtual keyboard is usually used for typing. Tablets are typically larger than smart phones or personal digital assistants at 7 inches (18 cm) or larger, measured diagonally.

Hybrid tablets that include detachable keyboards have been sold since the mid-1990s. Convertible touchscreen notebook computers have an integrated keyboard that can be hidden by a swivel or slide joint. Booklet tablets have dual-touchscreens and can be used as a notebook by displaying a virtual keyboard on one of the displays.

Conceptualized in the mid-20th century and prototyped and developed in the last two decades of that century, the devices became popular in 2010. As of March 2012, 31% of U.S. Internet users were reported to own some type of tablet. Among tablets available in 2012, the top-selling line of devices was Apple's iPad with 100 million sold by mid October 2012 since its release on Apr. 3, 2010, followed by Amazon's Kindle Fire with 7 million, and Barnes & Noble's Nook with 5 million.

Today's tablets use capacitive touchscreens with multi-touch, unlike earlier stylus-driven resistive touchscreen devices. After 2010, multi-touch and other natural user interface features, as well as flash memory solid state storage and “instant on” warm-booting; external USB and Bluetooth keyboards defined tablets. Some have 3G mobile telephone applications.

Apple is often credited for defining this new class of consumer device and has shaped the commercial market for tablets. iPads and competing devices have been tested by the US military. The most successful tablet is the Apple iPad, using the iOS operating system. Its debut in 2010 pushed tablets into the mainstream and revolutionized the form of communication for most people. Samsung's Galaxy Tab and others followed, continuing the trends towards the features listed above.

Tablets can be used in beds, cars, on the floor, in chairs while watching television and in an airplane while traveling. Nevertheless, there are not any appropriate portable tables to support the tablet, especially when it is used for typing messages or working on a document with an external keyboard. In addition, when an external source of battery power (such as a Mophie device) is used it can become cumbersome for the user to balance all of the devices when a stationary desk or other table is not available. Moreover, when traveling on an airline it is simply not possible to use a tablet (with or without an external keyboard) in the amount of room provided, especially when the table attached to the seat is occupied with food or drink.

Therefore, what is needed is a work table that is foldable, easily stored, portable and can be used in a variety of places and with a variety of devices such as tablets and laptop computers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are addressed by the work table in accordance with the invention.

In one aspect of the invention a work table that can be used on an individual's lap and that can accommodate a tablet or laptop computer is provided.

In another aspect of the invention, a work table that is small, foldable, portable and easily stored in a suitcase, briefcase or other similar device is provided.

In another aspect of the invention, a work table that can secure a tablet and/or laptop computer and prevent it from falling off an individual's lap is provided.

In another aspect of the invention a work table that includes a tray having compartments for external batteries, cell phones and the like is also provided.

While multiple embodiments, objects, features and advantages are disclosed, still other embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying figures, the foregoing being illustrative and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a work table in accordance with an aspect invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a work table in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective back view of a work table in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a work table showing the desk in a collapsed and folded configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a front side of a work table in accordance with a further aspect of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a back side of a work table in accordance with another aspect of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a work table showing the table in a collapsed and folded configuration.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another aspect of the work table of FIG. 5 shown attached to a locking valise that may be utilized to store a lap top computer and/or tablet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 a work table in accordance with various aspects of the invention will be described. The work table 10 broadly includes base 12, upright tablet holder 14 and a pair of articulating arms 15 operably coupling base 12 and upright table holder 14. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited to work table for tablets alone but can accommodate other devices such as laptop computers. For ease of reference, however, “tablet” will be used herein generically to mean all types of small computing devices. Base 12 is shown as being of solid construction to accommodate keyboards, mouses and the like, for example, but base 12 also may comprise parallel slats or laid out in a grid configuration in close proximity to one another and such other types of construction so long as accessories cannot fall through the base. Base 12 is also shown as including optional tray 16. Optional tray 16 may be integrally molded with base 12 or may be added on as a separate component. Optional tray 16 includes four sides that form a contained area. The contained area may be sub-divided and comprise any number of compartments that are sized to fit a plurality of items such as a mouse, an external battery pack, a cellular telephone and the like.

The underside of base 12 may include a slip-resistant surface that creates a friction hold between the base 12 and a user's lap to prevent the base 12 from slipping or being misplaced from the lap. Such a slip-resistant surface may include chemical surface treatment or mechanical etching of the base 12 itself. Alternatively, a slip-resistant material may be operably coupled to the underside of the base, the slip-resistant material including natural and synthetic rubbers, silicone and the like. The slip-resistant material may also include a texture, grooves or other pattern or may simply be applied in strips across the underside of the base.

Pair of articulating arms 15 operably and foldably couple base 12 to tablet holder 14. Articulating arms 15 may comprise wood, plastic, metals and combinations of the foregoing. Each articulating arm 15 is coupled at a first end 18 to base 12 or alternatively to optional tray 16 and at a second end 20 to tablet holder 14. Each articulating arm 15 is coupled by a graspable fastener 22 at the first 18 and second 20 ends. As shown, each fastener includes a finger operable arm portion 23 that allows the user to operably tighten and loosen the fastener to position the tablet holder 14 relative to base 12. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that fastener 22 is depicted as a two arm clamping knob but any type of knob that is capable of tightening and loosening the articulating arms 15 may be provided such as a bar clamping knob, a three, four, five and six arm clamping knobs, fluted clamping knob, lobed clamping knob, leo clamping know, octagonal clamping knob, trigon clamping knob and the like.

Tablet holder 14 includes a ledge 24 that operates to support a tablet (as shown) or laptop computer. Ledge 24 may also optionally include a bounding or restraining bar (not shown) that extends in front of the tablet or laptop to further secure the tablet from falling. Crossbar 26 extends from the first articulating arm to the second articulating arm and is operably coupled thereto. Crossbar 26 conveniently serves to hold the tablet's cover 28 out of the way and further serves to maintain tablet 25 in position on ledge 24. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that crossbar 26 also is a convenience to a user because the user does not need to remover the tablet's cover 28 prior to positioning in on the lap top desk.

Referring now to FIG. 4, when fasteners 22 are loosened, articulating arms 15 fold down or articulate to a position adjacent base 12. Tablet holder 14 lies substantially flat over a portion of base 12. Fasteners may then be tightened to hold pair of articulating arms 15 fixed against base 12 so that lap top desk may be easily stored in a briefcase, in luggage, at the side of a chair and such.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7 another aspect of the invention is depicted. FIGS. 5-7 depict an arm chair desktop 500 for holding tablets. Like elements are labeled with like numbers. Arm chair desktop 500 may be fastened to the arm of a chair, a table top, or may be fastened to, for example, the tray table provided with airplane seating or the arm of the seat.

Arm chair desktop 500 broadly includes base 12, tablet holder 14 having ledge 24, pair of articulating arms 15 and fasteners 22.

Base 12 is coupled to clamp 13 which removably couples base 12 to the arm of a chair (as shown) or to a tray table on an airplane. Pair of articulating arms 15 includes first ends 18 that are operably coupled to base 12 and second ends 20 that are operably coupled to base 12 thereby foldably connecting tablet holder 14 to base. As best seen in FIG. 6 articulating arms 15 may be indirectly coupled to base and tablet holder by supports 30, 30′. Those of skill in the art will appreciate, however, that supports 30, 30′ may be eliminated and articulating arms 15 may be coupled directly to table holder 14 and base 12. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that although a pair of articulating arms 15 are depicted, a single articulating arm may be used and still fall within the scope of the invention.

Each articulating arm 15 is coupled by a fastener 22 at the first 18 and second 20 ends. Each fastener includes a finger operable wing portion 23 that allows the user to operably tighten and loosen the fastener to position the tablet holder 14 relative to base 12. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that fastener 22 is depicted as a bolt with a wing nut but any type of fastener that is capable of tightening and loosening the articulating arms 15 may be utilized as previously noted. In addition, any number of fasteners may be used to secure articulating arms 15 to tablet holder 14 and base 12.

Tablet holder 14 includes ledge 24 that operates to support a tablet (as shown) or laptop computer. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that although not shown a crossbar may extend horizontally from the first articulating arm to the second articulating arm and is operably coupled thereto. A crossbar may conveniently serve to hold a tablet's cover out of the way and further serves to maintain the tablet in position on ledge without displacing. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the addition of a crossbar to the arm chair desk top would also be a convenience to a user because the user does not need to remover the tablet's cover prior to positioning in on the arm chair.

Referring now to FIG. 7, when fasteners 22 are loosened, articulating arms 15 fold down or articulate to a position such that tablet holder 14 and base lie substantially flat over the articulating arms 15. Fasteners may then be tightened to hold pair of articulating arms 15 fixed in position so that lap top desk may be easily stored in a briefcase, in luggage, at the side of a chair and such.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another aspect of the work table of FIG. 5 shown attached to a valise 800 that may be utilized to store a lap top computer and/or tablet. Valise 800 is substituted for base 12 in alternate embodiments and may lock or not lock. As can be seen in FIG. 8 clamp 13 may be operably coupled directly or indirectly to a portion of valise 800. Alternatively, a support similar to supports 13, 13′ may be used. Work table 500 in this aspect of the invention may be fixedly or removably coupled to valise 800. Operationally, the work table of FIG. 8 operates substantially similar to the work table of FIG. 5. When upper and lower fasteners 22 are loosened, articulating arms 15 fold down or articulate to a position such that tablet holder 14 lies substantially flat over valise 800. Fasteners 22 may then be tightened to hold articulating arms 15 fixed in position so that work table may be easily stored along with valise 800.

While the invention has been described with reference to various aspects it is to be understood that modifications or other variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable, foldable work table for a laptop or tablet comprising: a base; a holder for holding a laptop or tablet, said holder movable between an extended position and an unextended position; at least one articulating arm having first and second ends, said articulating arm operably coupling said base and said holder; at least first and second fasteners, said first fastener coupling the first end of said articulating arm to said base and said second fastener coupling the second end of said articulating arm to said holder, said first and second fasteners structured to fasten and unfasten said at least one articulating arm; wherein when said first and second fasteners are unfastened said holder is structured to move between the extended position and unextended position.
 2. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said at least one articulating arm comprises first and second articulating arms, said first articulating arm operably coupled to a first side of said base and second articulating arm operably coupled to an opposing side of said base.
 3. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said base includes a tray operably coupled thereto, said tray comprising four walls that create an enclosed area, said enclosed area including one or more compartments.
 4. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said holder including a ledge coupled thereto, said ledge structured to provide support for the laptop or tablet.
 5. The portable, foldable work table of claim 4 wherein said ledge a restraining bar coupled thereto.
 6. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said holder includes a crossbar on a backside thereof, said crossbar structured to accommodate a leaf of a cover for the laptop or tablet.
 7. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said base further includes a clamp operably coupled thereto, said clamp structured to clamp said work table to an arm of a chair, a tray table or a valise.
 8. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said base includes an underside portion in contact with a user's lap; said underside including a slip resistant material.
 9. The portable, foldable work table of claim 8 wherein said slip resistant material comprises silicone or rubber.
 10. The portable, foldable work table of claim 1 wherein said base includes an underside portion in contact with a user's lap; said underside being mechanically or chemically etched to create friction between said underside and the user's lap. 